Slow Down and Work Together for a Cainhoy Alternative

This op ed piece was written by Abbot Stan and appeared in the Sun, Feb. 2 edition of The Post & Courier.

The Brothers at Mepkin Abbey have followed the discussion about the fate of Cainhoy Plantation over the past three months. We are hopeful that a positive outcome can be achieved for this important property, and with that in mind offer a message of patience and hope.

Mepkin Abbey, a Trappist monastery at the confluence of the two forks of the Cooper River, played a role in the conservation of the historic Cooper River corridor. Mepkin was originally the estate of several historic families including Sir John Colleton, Henry Laurens, and thereafter the well-known publisher, Henry Luce. In 1949, the Luces donated a large portion of the property to the Trappist Order. It was then that we accepted the hallowed role of stewards of Mepkin, a place we believe to be set in one of the most beautiful and sacred landscapes in America.

Our goal has been to respect the historic and ecological integrity of the property and be good members of the Cooper River community. Leading a monastic life, traditionally our community involvement is of the quiet kind.